Monthly Rewind: August 2018

B O O K S

Mirage by Somaiya Daud (4/5) – Mirage was a solid debut which kicked off Daud’s duology with a bang. In a world of magic and constant danger, Amani is forced to become a princess’s body double and to survive the threat that is the Vathek Courts.

That’s Not What Happened by Kody Keplinger (3/5) – Six school shooting survivors recall the day their lives changed forever and realise that not everything was as black and white as they thought.

Teaching My Mother How To Give Birth by Warsan Shire (5/5) – There’s a haunting quality to Shire’s work that I really enjoy.  The beauty of her work leaves you stunned with every word.

No one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark. I’ve been carrying the old anthem in my mouth for so long that there’s no space for another song, another tongue or another language

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han (3/5) –  This book has been on my TBR since it was first released four years ago and the release of it’s Netflix movie finally pushed me into reading it. Honestly, the best part of this book was when Lara Jean was with her family, their bond was the better parts of the novel.  It’s something comfortable and relaxing but, personally, this book wasn’t for me.

The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley (3/5) – I give this book a three purely because of its concept but, honestly, I didn’t really enjoy this as much as I thought I would. A group of friends go on their yearly retreat only for it to end up with one of them being murdered and the perfect image they’ve created out of their friendship slowly peels away to something more cracked and broken. The way it builds up is excellent but the whole reveal with the murderer being someone who is mentally ill and it kind of emphasised that was why they killed the person was a bit disappointing. I had an issue with the voices with each character, some of them tended to blend together, and with every chapter changing to another POV, it was a bit difficult to read.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (5/5) –  This book is glorious. Hollywood icon Evelyn Hugo recalls her past and her rise to fame to unknown reporter Monique Grant. The things she has done, the mistakes she’s made and the secrets that have been buried for years slowly unfolds as she retells the story of her seven husbands and why Monique was plucked from obscurity to be the one to tell her story.

The Book of M by Peng Shepherd (3/5) – One day, a man loses his shadow. Months later so does most of the population. Ory and his wife have escaped most of the damage until Max loses her shadow and embarks on her own journey to protect Ory. The story follows four people as they journey in a world where they might forget who they are at any moment. I struggled a lot with this book and ended up in a massive reading slump halfway. But then I started from the beginning again and actually found it a lot more enjoyable than my first read.

 M U S I C 

HANN (ALONE) – As a song for their first comeback, G- IDLE are on a roll. I really enjoyed this song. I have really high hopes for this group but I am sort of disappointed in the fact they’re using an exotic theme for their central concept.  Judging from LATATA and HANN, it’s clear how they’re relying on “exotic” imagery in their work, especially in their video and dance. I just hope their company and Soyeon know what they’re doing and they just don’t full on do cultural appropriation for their concept.

HI HIGH – I’m so, so proud of LOONA and it finally be able to hear all twelve girls sing is truly an experience. It literally feels like yesterday that I saw Vivi’s solo song and ended up falling into the huge hole that is the LOONAVERSE.

IDOL – BTS is the reason why it was so difficult to make my music list this month because literally, my top ten were all songs from ANSWER. Honestly, I’m still listening to the album while writing this post. While I believe no BTS song will ever top Spring Day from the top of my list, IDOL is an entertaining song.  I know loads of people had mixed opinions on it, but the song’s really my style.

TRIVIA 轉: SEESAW – JUST. LISTEN. I LOVE THIS SONG SO MUCH.

BREATHIN – I wasn’t a massive fan of sweetener at first, especially on my first listen, but breathin was the song that caught my eye the fastest. It’s so soothing and beautiful.

RUMOR – My favourite concept song from Produce so far! I’m a bit in the middle of the final line for IZONE. I understand not everyone agrees with it and most of my top 12 sadly didn’t make it, but hopefully, the final 12 do well despite the backlash.

HIGH HOPES – So damn catchy, I have a feeling this will be on repeat for a while now.

That’s it for this month! Tell me what went on in YOUR life this month! What sort of things was important for you this month? New obsessions? New TV shows? Or book? Any new song recs (I’m always open to new music!)? Best books you read this month?